Chapter Eight
Alexei had scarcely settled into the leather seat of the limousine before Dimitri muttered, loudly enough to be heard by everyone inside,
"I still don't trust her.” The words hung in the air like smoke.
Alexei didn't even have to look at his younger brother to know exactly where his narrowed eyes were aimed, at Natalia. She sat beside Alexei, hands folded neatly atop the black satin of her evening gown, as though Dimitri hadn't spoken at all.
She had become exceptionally good at pretending insults rolled off her back, and that bothered Alexei more than if she'd snapped back.
"You know," Alexei said dryly, crossing one ankle over the opposite knee, "we can hear you."
Dimitri shrugged without an ounce of remorse. “I’m not exactly hiding it,” his brother said.
Sofia sighed. "Dimitri."
“What, dearest?” Dimitri asked.
“You promised you would behave,” Sofia chided.
"I am behaving."
Sofia gave him the sort of look only wives seemed capable of perfecting. It conveyed exasperation and the promise of sleeping on the sofa all at once. Alexei almost pitied him. Sofia reached over to pat her husband's forearm.
"Remember," she reminded gently, "Natalia has already saved Alexei's life three times."
"I've counted.” Dimitri folded his arms. “However, I’ll never forget that she tried to kill him too."
Natalia finally glanced over. "I missed on purpose. Remember that too?”
Dimitri scoffed. “My opinion remains unchanged.”
Alexei bit back the smile threatening his lips. A week ago that exchange would've ended with someone reaching for a weapon. Now it merely ended with Sofia pinching the bridge of her nose. He considered that progress.
Still, he couldn’t believe that seven days had passed since Alexei had offered Natalia a job, and that she’d decided to stay.
His brothers still viewed her as a snake that simply hadn't decided whether to bite.
Maksim growled less at her, and Dimitri made absolutely no effort to hide his suspicions.
Alexei couldn't entirely blame them. Well, what did it matter? Here they were now. Come to think of it, Sofia and Lena were the first people to welcome Natalia. Alexei still wasn't entirely certain how they'd managed it. Perhaps women simply possessed an instinct men lacked.
Lena had insisted Natalia join them for breakfast. Meanwhile, Sofia had dragged her shopping. Together they'd somehow convinced Natalia to sit through an afternoon tea without checking every window for snipers. Even now, Sofia leaned toward Natalia with an approving smile.
"You look beautiful,” Sofia commented.
Natalia looked faintly uncomfortable. "Thank you,” Natalia finally mumbled.
"I told you the dress was perfect,” Sofia said.
Natalia smoothed invisible wrinkles from the black fabric. "I still think it's impractical."
Alexei finally looked. The breath caught in his chest. Sofia was right.
The dress fit her as though it had been tailored solely for her.
It was simple and elegant, just like her.
The dress had long sleeves of sheer lace, a fitted bodice that emphasized the graceful line of her waist, then flowed into a sleek skirt that brushed her ankles.
Her ebony hair had been swept into a sophisticated knot, exposing the graceful curve of her neck. The feathered black mask concealed the upper half of her face, making her dark eyes appear bigger.
Danger had never looked so breathtaking. She caught him staring, and lifted one eyebrow.
“Is there something on my face?” Natalia asked him.
"You clean up well,” he said, adoring the faint blush that touched her cheeks.
The limousine rolled smoothly through the illuminated streets. Traffic had been diverted around the museum district for tonight's charity gala. Police officers stood at intersections directing vehicles, and luxury cars stretched for nearly an entire block.
The city's elite had gathered, and that included anyone with influence who wanted to be seen supporting tonight's fundraiser. The limousine slowed, then stopped. Alexei stepped out first. Cool evening air greeted him, and before him rose the museum.
For tonight, the nineteenth-century building had been transformed into a palace of light. Their party walked past white marble columns. Fresh white roses, orchids, and lilies overflowed from towering arrangements, and a string quartet played somewhere beyond the grand staircase.
Photographers also unfortunately crowded behind velvet ropes. Camera flashes erupted continuously, and every arriving guest was greeted by applause.
Natalia emerged beside him. Several photographers forgot entirely about Alexei. Their lenses turned toward her instead. He tightened his jaw as one particularly persistent photographer shouted, "Miss! Over here!"
Natalia instinctively shifted closer to Alexei rather than toward the cameras. He liked that far more than he should have. He offered his arm, and after a moment’s hesitation, she slipped her hand through his arm.
The warmth of her touch seeped straight through the fabric of his white tuxedo jacket. Together they climbed the marble staircase. Inside the elaborately decorated space, every guest wore elaborate masquerade masks.
Alexei made his rounds, mingling with the city’s creme de la creme. Through all of it, Natalia remained one step behind him. She was always alert, and he had a feeling she was silently cataloging guests and staff, searching the room for blind corners and exits.
She always looked so focused and beautiful. Alexei nearly answered a senator's question incorrectly because he'd been watching the way candlelight danced across Natalia's dark hair. Alexei decided
The orchestra shifted into a slow waltz. Couples flowed gracefully onto the dance floor. Alexei found himself watching them, then looking at Natalia. She followed his gaze.
"Do you dance?"
She blinked. “No.”
“Shall we...?” Alexei trailed off, but she raised a hand.
“You know better than to distract me while I’m working, Alexei,” she reminded him.
He sighed and relented. The charity gala finally drew to a close just after eleven. Alexei had never been so relieved to exchange polished marble floors and empty conversation for the privacy of his limousine.
The museum disappeared behind them as the vehicle merged into the late-night traffic. This time, the cabin was blissfully quiet. Dimitri and Sofia had elected to remain behind, coaxed into one last dance. For the first time all evening, it was just Alexei and Natalia.
The silence settled comfortably between them. Natalia removed her feathered mask first, setting it carefully on the seat beside her before leaning her head back against the leather. He noted she looked tired.
"You can relax," Alexei said quietly.
"I am,” she pointed out.
He laughed softly. "If this is you relaxed, I'd hate to see you anxious."
Natalia lifted the corner of her mouth, and Alexei found himself smiling back before he realized he was doing it. Outside, rain had begun to fall. Tiny droplets streaked across the tinted windows while city lights blurred.
Their driver navigated the nearly empty streets with practiced confidence. For the first time all evening, Alexei allowed himself to breathe. Maybe tonight had passed without incident after all. Perhaps whoever wanted him dead had finally accepted failure.
From the corner of his eyes, he noticed Natalia’s expression had changed. Every trace of warmth vanished from her face. Her shoulders stiffened as she snapped toward the rear window.
"What is it?” He couldn’t help but ask.
She didn't answer. Instead, she leaned forward slightly, watching the reflection in the glass. Natalia narrowed her eyes.
“Get down!” she yelled.
When he didn’t immediately react, Natalia threw herself across him. Alexei barely had time to react before she shoved him toward the floor. He heard a heavy thunk. Something slammed into the rear window.
A spiderweb of fractures bloomed across the bulletproof window. Alexei's pulse exploded, then gunfire rained. Another shot rang out, and he heard a crack. The second impact struck inches above where his head had been only moments earlier.
The reinforced glass groaned, and he and Natalia cursed. Whoever was firing at them was using some kind of armor-piercing rounds.
“Natalia,” he began.
"Stay down!"
A third round hit, and this one punched completely through. The rear window burst inward in a shower of sparkling glass. Fragments rained across the leather seats. Cold night air rushed into the cabin.
"Damn it, Bryan!” Alexei barked toward the front. "Drive!"
The chauffeur didn't hesitate. The limousine surged forward, and its powerful engine roared as it accelerated through the intersection. Behind them, he finally saw the black SUV following them. Its headlights blazed through the shattered rear window.
Muzzle flashes erupted from the passenger side. There were more shots. Metal shrieked, then the limousine swerved. Natalia had already opened her evening clutch.
Inside, nestled between lipstick and her cellphone, sat a small pistol. She chambered a round with practiced ease. Alexei reached for her wrist, and she looked at him.
"Keep your head down,” she told him. He was about to protest, but then she said, “My job is keeping you alive."
Another bullet tore through what remained of the rear window. Glass exploded over both of them.
Natalia didn't even flinch. She pulled free from his grip.
"Either trust me,” she said, checking the magazine in one smooth motion. “Or 1find another bodyguard."
Alexei opened his mouth, then closed it. Damn her, she was right. He nodded to her. Lowering herself beneath the shattered window line, Natalia inched toward the rear passenger door. The limousine swerved again. Their pursuers were gaining.
Alexei braced himself against the seat as they rounded a corner far faster than any sane driver should. Natalia pressed the window switch. The reinforced glass lowered halfway even as the vehicle wove violently through traffic.